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DPBH proposes transferring food‑related inspectors and reserves to Department of Agriculture
Summary
The division proposed moving most environmental health staff who oversee food inspections into the Department of Agriculture, transferring reserves to cover program shortfalls, and noted fees currently do not cover program costs.
The Joint Subcommittee on Human Services reviewed the Division of Public and Behavioral Health(DPBH) environmental health services budget (budget 3194) and a proposed consolidation of food inspection functions with the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Cody Finney, administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, told the committee DPBH is proposing to transfer 12 of the program—s 15 staff to the Department of Agriculture to consolidate food‑related inspections and processing oversight. "We are proposing to transfer 12 of the 15 staff to the Department of Agriculture... and they will consolidate all of those food related inspections," Finney said, and noted a correction had been submitted because the narrative initially listed 15 rather than 12.
Finney said the department—s fee analysis found current fees do not adequately support the program and DPBH proposes transferring significant reserves to Agriculture so the program remains solvent while Agriculture evaluates fee changes. Kathy Balkan, administrator of administrative services at the Department of Agriculture, told the committee the department maintains separate revenue general ledger accounts (RGLs) and will add additional RGLs for the incoming programs so revenues and expenses are tracked separately.
Assemblymember Howtegui asked how Agriculture and DPBH will avoid commingling funds. Balkan said, "We currently have different revenue GL set up... we would add a couple more RGLs to that to be able to track the different programs that are coming over." Andrea Rivers, DPBH deputy administrator, said DPBH had contracted with a third‑party CPA firm and identified a predicted fee shortfall of about $226,000 in fiscal year 2026 in budget account 3194; DPBH staff said they will work with Agriculture on any fee schedule changes and to ensure the transfer is not perceived as the catalyst for fee increases.
The committee asked for assurances that transferred reserves and fee adjustments will be tracked and that statutory reporting requirements will be observed. Department officials described tracking by revenue account and time‑allocation of staff and said they will provide additional detail in follow‑up, including any proposed fee and reserve plans.
Following questions about the transfers and fee sufficiency, the committee closed the hearing on the environmental health budget.
